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INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGICAL METHODS
Sec. #6253: T 7:00-9:50 -> V-8
FACULTY INFORMATION:
Email:
clifford.j@mccd.edu
Office: I-214
Web Page:
http://www.mccd.edu/faculty/clifford.j/
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is a continuation of PSYC-01A with emphasis on psychological theory and a detailed treatment of the scientific method as applied to the study of human behavior. Experimental design, basic assumptions, and limitations and advantages of the experimental method are considered along with an introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics.
EXPECTED STUDENT OUTCOMES:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of the APA Code of Ethics.
2. Demonstrate how to find journal articles in the library and on the internet relevant to a research topic.
3. Importance of citing sources of facts and information.
4. Compare and contrast the major research methods used in behavioral research.
5. Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the experimental method.
6. Critically analyze existing research.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of statistics and measurement as applied to behavior.
8. Formulate, conduct, analyze and present results from an original research project.
PREREQUISITES: PSYC-01A
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS:
Gravetter, F. J., & Forzano, L. B. (2006). Methods in Behavioral Research. (2nd ed.). Belmont,
CA: Thomson.
OPTIONAL TEXTBOOKS:
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Fifth Edition (2001). Washington DC: American
Psychological Association.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS:
Five Scantrons (form No. 882-E) available for purchase at the bookstore.
ACADEMIC HONESTY:
Academic dishonesty is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and is handled by the Vice-President of Student Personnel.
Merced College has the responsibility to ensure that grades assigned are indicative of the knowledge and skill level of each student. Acts of academic dishonesty make it impossible to fulfill this responsibility, and they weaken our society. Faculty, students, administrators, and classified staff share this responsibility.
Academic dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism, collusion, misuse of college computers and software, and other dishonest conduct. Students in violation of the Merced College Academic Honesty Student Code of Conduct are subject to dismissal from this course.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Students are expected to attend each class and to be responsible for all of the materials covered in the textbook and lecture. In most instances lectures will complement and NOT review the assigned reading materials. Consequently, if for some legitimate reason you are unable to attend class it will be advisable for you to make arrangements with another student to acquire the lecture notes and to stop by during my office hours if you have questions regarding the material.
PUNCTUALITY:
It is important to be on time to each class. Important announcements will be made at the beginning of class (e.g., reminders, assignment instructions, changes to the class schedule, etc.). If you are late, you may miss these announcements. Do not come late to the final exam. The exam will end when the last person who arrived on time has completed their exam. This means that if the final exam starts at 8pm and everyone who arrived on time is finished by 8:30pm, the class will end at that time. If you come in at 8:25, you will only have 5 minutes to complete the exam.
ASSIGNMENTS & EVALUATIONS:
Students are expected to be familiar with the assigned readings on a given topic prior to class lectures. You will get a lot more out of the lectures if you do this, since the lectures will follow the text rather closely. We will move through the course material in a logical fashion, where concepts that are presented first will serve as a foundation for more complex concepts presented later. Participation, questions, and discussion are welcome and will make the class much more interesting. You should expect to spend a minimum of 14 hours a week reading the textbook, reviewing lecture notes, working on projects, and completing homework.
Exams: Five comprehensive examinations will be scheduled. Each examination will typically consist of multiple-choice, short answer, and essay questions covering materials from both the textbook and lecture. Make-up exams will only be given under extreme circumstances. The reason for your absence must be documented (i.e., a note from a doctor). Excused make-up examinations must be scheduled within one week of the original examination date. Make-up exams will not be the same as the scheduled exams. An unexcused exam absence will result in the score of 0%.
(Total Possible Points: 500)
Active Learning/Critical Thinking & Homework: Throughout the course, you will have many opportunities to participate in group and individual critical thinking activities. You must be in class and participate to earn these points. Homework assignments will be given during the semester. Some assignments will be completed in class while others will be due at the next class meeting. All out-of-class assignments must be typed according to APA format to receive credit. NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
(Total Possible Points: 100)
Research Papers: Three research papers will be assigned during the semester. All research papers must be typed according to APA format. In addition, a poster presentation of Paper #3 will be required worth 30 points. The format of the presentation will be covered in lecture. NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
(Total Possible Points: 230)
GRADING PROCEDURE:
During the semester you can earn up to 830 points. Five exams (100 points each) will be worth 500 points, research papers will be worth 200 points, the poster presentation will be worth 30 points, homework assignments and active learning activities will be worth 100 points. The total number of points you earn during the semester will determine your final grade. Grades will be given as follows:
747 - 830 points = A
664 - 746 points = B
581 - 663 points = C
498 - 580 points = D
Below 498 points = F
LECTURE SYLLABUS
This syllabus is tentative and subject to change. All changes will be announced in class.
DATE TOPIC READING
Week 1
Jan. 15 Introduction
Week 2
Jan. 22 The Scientific Method Chapter 1
Research Ideas Chapter 2
Week 3
Jan. 29 Defining & Measuring Variables Chapter 3
Writing Research Reports Chapter 16
Week 4
Feb. 5 Exam 1 (Chapters 1-3, 16)
“The Pepsi Challenge”
Week 5
Feb. 12 Ethics in Research Chapter 4
Paper 1 Due
Week 6
Feb. 19 Research Strategies & Validity Chapter 6
Week 7
Feb. 26 Exam 2 (Chapters 4 & 6)
Descriptive Research Strategy Chapter 13
Week 8
Mar. 4 Descriptive Research Strategy Chapter 13
Week 9
Mar.
11
Descriptive Research
Strategy Chapter 13
APA citations
Scales of Measurement
Week 10
Mar. 18
Exam 3 (Chapters 13, APA citations, scales of measurement--pp.76-78)
Selecting Research Participants
Chapter 5
Week 11
Mar. 25 Spring Break
Week 12
Apr. 1 Experimental Research Strategy Chapter 7
Week 13
Apr.
8
Experimental Designs
Chapter 8
Paper 2 Due
Week 14
Apr. 15 Experimental
Designs
Chapter 9
Factorial
Designs
Chapter 11
Week 15
Apr.
22 Exam
4 (Chapters 5, 7, 8, 9, 11)
Single-Subject Designs
Chapter 14
Apr.
29
Correlational
Research
Chapter 12
Statistical Evaluation of Data
Chapter 15
Week 17
May 6
Quasi-experimental
Designs Chapter
10
Paper 3 Due
Week 18
May 13 Poster presentations
Week 19 Final Examination (Chapters 10, 12, 14, 15)
Tuesday, May 20th 8:00pm